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SAFETY IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Nuclear power plants have met with severe resistance from certain factions arguing that nuclear power is unsafe and causes radiation hazards. Author attempts to discredit these arguments with facts. The Atomic Energy Commission has set limits for radiation exposure, 5 rem per year for an employee in a nuclear plant, and .5 rem per year for the general public, these amounts are lower than natural radiation levels found in some parts of the world. Natural levels as high as 12 rem have been reported. It is pointed out that there is a gap in mans knowledge of the effects of very low, long-term radiation exposure. Research is continuing in this field, with no ill effects recorded to date.